Teenager to be honoured at Crufts

A 15-year-old from West Sussex is due to be honoured for her charitable work at Crufts in March.

Jenny Whelan has spent the last five years walking a West Highland Terrier called Mitzi on its dog collar and lead through the Cinnamon Trust. Mitzi belongs to 92-year-old Peggy Clarke.

Without Jenny’s help, Ms Clarke and Mitzi may not be able to stay together, as she is not able to give the dog the exercise that she requires.

Averil Jarvis MBE, Cinnamon Trust founder and chief executive, said that Jenny was chosen from 600 young people for her outstanding commitment and consistency.

Jenny said: "Being a young volunteer is such a great way of helping people as well as having a great time with dogs. It is also reassuring for the elderly people you help, that their beloved pets are receiving such great care. If it was not for Cinnamon Trust their lives would be a lot harder."

She added that she has become good friends with Ms Clarke and that Mitzi is fun to walk and loves to be cuddled.